SUMMER BIRDING ON MONTNEGRE

SPECTACULAR BIRDS AT MONTNEGRE, ALICANTE
I hate a cliché but it was the very early birders who got an immediate ‘two-for-one-reward’ for being on the way to Montnegre before the light had developed. On this mountain road we almost ran over a Nightjar and another one flew with it and away. Red-necked Nightjars (Chotacabras Cuellittojo) were heard calling just off the road. We moved on slowly, and there in full and uninterrupted view, a sitting Nightjar. The photographer was able to confirm it was a European one (Chotacabras Gris). A great start and two good species very early on.

We decided to take the Montnegre road so that we could again check on Trumpeter Finches (Camachuelo Trompetero). We have our usual stopping places, so we sat and waited. We did hear Trumpeters to start with but not one to view. All the hirundines were there - including Crag Martins (Avión Roquero) - and around the car we saw a Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilargo) with Goldfinches (Jilguero) and Serían (Verdecillo) flying. We waited and watched House Sparrows (Gorrión Común), a female Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra) perched in full view and a Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris) flitted around. Two Black Wheatears (Collalba Negra) flew into a bush and within minutes another perched on a wire. One surprise bird was a female Black Redstart (Collirojo Tizón) which is a winter bird for us, but that sighting may indicate they breed in this habitat. A young Southern Grey Shrike (Alcaudón Real) was noisy and we saw just one Woodchat (Alcaudón Común) There were absentees and this included Collar Doves (Tórtola Turca) that are normally plentiful here. In the distance Vultures flew and probably were all Griffins (Buitre Leonardo)?

We had intended to visit Maigmo as well this morning but with the non-sighting of the Trumpeters we drove higher with the intention of making another attempt to see them later in the morning on the way down. It was another splendid decision.

Bee-eaters (Abejaruca Común) are wonderful birds to see and hear and we found a colony of them, perched, posing for the photographers, flying and hawking. Both adults and juveniles were around which proves that this a nesting sight. All beautiful to see.

We travelled a little higher. A helicopter flew. Bryan put his bins on it and then saw an Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real).
We watched the sky and confirmed what we saw and continued to watch them fly. At least two in the sky at the same time. A spot to remember in the future and to celebrate as it was Michelle's first sighting ever. It was a year tick for both Bryan and myself. We all had great views of this not-often-seen species.

Going back to a Trumpeter Finch site we nailed it with some very quick sightings of them and the photographers got very busy. Exactly at that moment a Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europea) flew up from the valley and around giving us great views. I love them and our first Eagle of the year!

That just proves it, what a decision we made earlier, to check on those Finches one more time.

We always search for butterflies and this morning we did view Graylings. According to the guide (and photos may prove definitive) but we may have seen both Tree and Striped Graylings. They are a study in their own right! And we follow this up with photos and another blog post.

In choosing my bird of the day I would have to go for the Eagle as it was such a clear and close view. Michelle's would have to be the Alpine Swifts. It was so bloody good to be out there again, in good company and of course the birds. Add to that the various habitats, splendid views and scenery.